In a new study conducted by a team of researchers from the Netherlands, they have found that the use of corrective helmets to shape the deformed skulls of babies is not an effective therapy. In order to avoid sudden infant death syndrome, health authorities have earlier suggested parents to place babies on their backs, and this is when the skull deformation problem arose. By keeping them for extended hours in the same position and not changing posture lead to skull deformation in babies. In order to understand whether use of helmets can bring any significant difference in positional plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, scientists devised a randomized control trail using corrective helmets. Dr. RenskeM. van Wijk, and team of researchers from Department of Health Technology and Services Research, University of Twente, in Enschede have published their findings in the May issue of the journal BMJ.
In this study to evaluate the benefits of helmet therapy, 84 infants who had moderate to severe skull deformations were identified. The infants were either put on helmet therapy or no use of helmet, randomly when they were about six months old. Parents of children, who were to put on helmets, were instructed to continue the task for about 23 hours a day, till their infants were over one year of age or till the deformities were fixed. On the other hand, another set of parents were instructed not to use helmets on their child. When the infants reached 2 years of age, the researchers observed the shape of their skulls and took detailed measurements. It was found that only 26% of infants who used helmets had recovered as compared to 23% of them who did not wear helmets. The results of this study were not satisfactory, to believe that the helmet therapy has any significant influence in correcting skull deformities.
Helmet usage moreover has many other side effects observed in infants. It is not only uncomfortable to wear but also leads to skin rashes, increased sweating, unpleasant odor and pain. As compared to the natural course of remedy, helmet therapy is both expensive and has prevalent side effects. The current study discourages the use of corrective helmets.
In this study to evaluate the benefits of helmet therapy, 84 infants who had moderate to severe skull deformations were identified. The infants were either put on helmet therapy or no use of helmet, randomly when they were about six months old. Parents of children, who were to put on helmets, were instructed to continue the task for about 23 hours a day, till their infants were over one year of age or till the deformities were fixed. On the other hand, another set of parents were instructed not to use helmets on their child. When the infants reached 2 years of age, the researchers observed the shape of their skulls and took detailed measurements. It was found that only 26% of infants who used helmets had recovered as compared to 23% of them who did not wear helmets. The results of this study were not satisfactory, to believe that the helmet therapy has any significant influence in correcting skull deformities.
Helmet usage moreover has many other side effects observed in infants. It is not only uncomfortable to wear but also leads to skin rashes, increased sweating, unpleasant odor and pain. As compared to the natural course of remedy, helmet therapy is both expensive and has prevalent side effects. The current study discourages the use of corrective helmets.
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